Sweeping Changes To Operation Of City Water & Sewerage Dept.

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Mayor Dave Bing is announcing a new action plan for the city's Water and Sewerage Department. It includes sweeping changes in the union contract--ordered by US District Judge Sean Cox, who maintains federal control over the department.

Judge Cox has issued an order about how the department will do business. WWJ Legal Analyst and AM 1270 Morning Talk Show Host Charlie Langton has had a look, and says the unions were hit hard ... with seniority rights going by the wayside:

"There's mandatory training programs and subcontracting is okay, outsourcing is okay, and what is very significant is that the only person that can change this order is Judge Cox, this is very, very significant, and the unions where hit hard today," said Langton.

"The judge's order eliminates furlough days, it eliminates bumping rights, eliminates seniority, in fact, overtime will now only be given to the most qualified worker -- at management's discretion," said Langton.

While Mayor Dave Bing acknowledged a "lack of accountability" has been an issue, he emphasized control of the Water Department will remain as is.

"The city of Detroit still owns the department, but we are making some changes and I think it will make us much more efficient and hopefully lower our water rates," Bing said.

Cox and his predecessor, US District Judge John Feikens, have had control over the department for more than 30 years.